English teaching
Rural schools
Ages 4 - 14
Opportunity for adult education

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Volunteer Projects in Chile

Introduction

Looking at a map of Chile one feels a touch of amazement that so much can happen in this long, narrow strip of land, tucked between the towering Andes Mountains and the endless Pacific Ocean! MondoChallenge offers volunteer projects in Chile with opportunities to Teach English on your Career Break

About Chile

The Republic of Chile is a long, narrow country extending some 4350km down the Pacific coast of South America from Peru down to the southernmost tip of the continent and one of the most fascinating destinations for a career break. The Andes mountain range forms its eastern border. Its most populous region is the centre with its especially fertile heartland around the capital. To the north is the world's driest desert (the Atacama) and to the south is a land of coastal islands, fjords and glaciated mountain valleys. Its economy is robust and well-fed by exports of copper (it is the third largest copper-producing country in the world), fruit and wine. It is also the world's leading fishmeal producer.

89% of the Chilean people are Roman Catholic, (10% Protestant), and the vast majority only speak Spanish.

The Elqui Valley, where our volunteer programmes are based, is rural and, in many respects, underdeveloped, particularly compared to the more urban areas. However, it is going through a process of growth, owing to recent increases in cultivation, largely vines, and tourism. It is a superb place to escape to for a career break, as no one is in any hurry to do anything, a fact which can cause frustration to those who are used to a faster pace of life and instant action and response. The local people are friendly and receptive, are used to and welcome visitors.

Mondo In Chile

We offer teaching projects in La Serena region about 450kms north of Santiago. The Elqui Valley is known for its artistic communities, grapes and spirit of tranquillity. The region is the major producer of Pisco, Chile's national grape drink.

Our voluntary teaching projects are in Pisco Elqui, Monte Grande and Paihuano. The region enjoys one of the nicest climates in the country as it hardly rains, but it can get cold in winter, particularly at night.

We work mainly in primary schools, welcoming pupils aged from 4 to 14 in rural villages in the area.
In addition there is currently a thrust to provide a voluntary English support service to all the schools in the Comuna, including some small rural schools, scattered along the valley.

Things to see and do in Chile

At weekends, volunteer teachers can go down to the lively small town of Vicuña, which has museums and some inexpensive restaurants, or seek the brighter lights of La Serena. Important both historically and economically, the seaside city of La Serena is a popular focus of tourism and the centre of a fertile fruit growing region, particularly papayas, custard apples (chirimoyas) and grapes. It is one of Chile's oldest post-Columbian cities and has a number of museums as well as its beautiful beaches.

More ambitious long weekend destinations, popular with career break volunteers, might include Santiago, Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. For the more adventurous volunteers in Chile, and those able to endure long bus journeys, the Atacama Desert in the North of Chile, and the lively Argentine city of Mendoza over the Andes are worth visiting while on a career break in South America.

Living in Chile

Travelling and living in Chile is very safe. The valleys are quiet areas but do consult www.fco.gov.uk for the latest travel advice, and of course please use your common sense and trust your instincts – if it doesn’t feel right, DON’T take the risk!

It is essential that volunteers have or acquire some knowledge of Spanish prior to their departure. Previous volunteers have highlighted this as something which needs to be taken very seriously, as people in Chile in general, and in the Elqui Valley in particular, do not speak English.